Infrastructure monitoring devices, systems, and methods

• US 10,881,888 B2
• Filed: 11/18/2017
• Issued: 01/05/2021
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mueller International LLC (Mueller Water Products Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Mueller International LLC (Mueller Water Products Incorporated)
• Inventors: Hyland, Gregory E., Keefe, Robert Paul, Zakas, Marietta Edmunds, Barker, Clayton Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Murphy, Kevin F
• Assistant Examiner(s): Waddy, Jonathan J
• Application Number:
  US15/817,172
• Publication Number:
  US 20180093117A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,144 Days
• Field of Search: 137296, 137312, 137377, 137551, 340603, 239 71, 138 90, 138104, 73 405 A, 73592
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 35/20 Hydrants, e.g. wall-hoses, wall units, plug-in cabinets hydrants in streets E03B9/02
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 37/50 Testing or indicating devices for determining the state of readiness of the equipment
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 9/02 Hydrants; Arrangements of valves therein; Keys for hydrants
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 9/06 Covers
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 27/006 of hydrants
• CPC Class Codes: F17D 1/04 for distribution of gas
• CPC Class Codes: F17D 5/00 Protection or supervision of installations arrangements for protecting foundations E02D31/00; protecting pipes from damage or internal or external wear F16L57/00, against corrosion and scale F16L58/00; investigation of the fluid-tightness of structures G01M3/00
• CPC Class Codes: F17D 5/02 Preventing, monitoring, or locating loss
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 2204/12 Determination or prediction of behaviour, e.g. likely power consumption or unusual usage patterns
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/004 Remote reading of utility meters to a fixed location
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/46 Pitot tubes
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/00 Investigating fluid-tightness of structures
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/03 Constructional details, e.g. casings, housings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/34 Hydrogen distribution
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/30 Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/5468 Cap, cover or hood
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/5485 With valve at outlet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7043 Guards and shields
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8158 With indicator, register, recorder, alarm or inspection means

Abstract

An infrastructure monitoring assembly includes a nozzle cap, the nozzle cap comprising a metallic material; an antenna cover, the antenna cover attached to the nozzle cap, the antenna cover comprising a plastic material, the antenna cover defining an antenna cavity; and an antenna extending into the antenna cavity. An infrastructure monitoring assembly includes a fire hydrant, the fire hydrant defining a nozzle; a nozzle cap, the nozzle cap comprising a metallic material, the nozzle cap attached to the nozzle and sealing the nozzle; an antenna cover attached to the nozzle cap, the antenna cover comprising a plastic material, the antenna cover defining an antenna cavity; and an antenna disposed within the antenna cavity.

Claims

1. An infrastructure monitoring assembly comprising:

a fire hydrant, the fire hydrant defining a nozzle, the nozzle defining external threading at a nozzle end of the nozzle;

a nozzle cap, the nozzle cap comprising a metallic material, the nozzle cap defining a first nozzle cap end and a second nozzle cap end, a threaded bore extending into the nozzle cap from the second nozzle cap end to a bore shoulder defined between the first nozzle cap end and the second nozzle cap end, the threaded bore engaging the external threading, a gasket contacting the nozzle end and the bore shoulder in sealing engagement and sealing a nozzle bore of the nozzle;

an antenna cover attached to the nozzle cap, the antenna cover comprising a non-metallic material, the antenna cover defining a first antenna cover end and a second antenna cover end, the first antenna cover end defined opposite from the second antenna cover end, the second antenna cover end positioned between the first nozzle cap end and the bore shoulder of the nozzle cap, the second antenna cover end positioned between the first antenna cover end and the second nozzle cap end; and

an antenna covered by the antenna cover.

2. The infrastructure monitoring assembly of claim 1, further comprising a sensor disposed within an enclosure, the sensor configured to monitor a fluid within the nozzle bore.

3. The infrastructure monitoring assembly of claim 2, wherein the enclosure is sealed by a cover, and wherein the sensor is isolated from the fluid.

4. The infrastructure monitoring assembly of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the enclosure is positioned between the first nozzle cap end and the bore shoulder.

5. The infrastructure monitoring assembly of claim 1, further comprising a transmitter disposed within an enclosure, the antenna connected to the transmitter, wherein the enclosure is disposed within the nozzle cap, wherein the nozzle cap defines a hole extending through the nozzle cap, and wherein the antenna is connected to the transmitter through the hole.

6. The infrastructure monitoring assembly of claim 5, wherein the antenna cover comprises a plastic material.

7. The infrastructure monitoring assembly of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the antenna is positioned external to the nozzle cap, and wherein the portion of the antenna is at least partially covered by the antenna cover.

8. The infrastructure monitoring assembly of claim 1, wherein the nozzle cap defines a nozzle cap shoulder, and wherein the antenna cover engages the nozzle cap shoulder.